Being on Your Feet All Day Can Cause Serious Complications

By Federico M. Richter, MD

Standing on your feet all day can cause a lot more than aches and pain. If your job or lifestyle requires you to stand for a majority of the day, your circulation will be affected; when this happens, you have a higher risk of venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is inadequate functioning of the vein valves in the leg, causing swelling, pain, varicose veins and skin issues.

One of the most effective, natural ways to achieve healthy circulatory functioning is to exercise. Along with resistance training, any form of cardiovascular activity will improve the blood flow and dispersion of nutrients. Increasing your heart rate with cardiovascular exercise is essential, as it contracts the heartbeats at a higher rate, increasing blood and oxygen volume, which improves the circulatory system. In Addition, cardiovascular exercise improves the function of the veins and arteries, which alleviates venous insufficiency flare-ups.

Depending on your level of health, fitness, and wellness, you will need to modify how you incorporate exercise into your routine. Walking is the best place to start when you’re adding in activity for the first time, or if it’s been a while since you’ve worked out. It’s imperative to speak to your physician first to discuss safe ways for you to add exercise into your routine. If the heat is too much for you to bear, exercising in a pool is also very helpful and a safer way to get your heart rate up.

The resistance of the water against the body increases cardiovascular circulation. Not only is aquatic therapy easy on the joints and muscles, but also the buoyancy allows individuals to exercise for longer periods of time, with more intensity than that of land-based physical therapy, especially in the heat.

There have been significant studies on the benefits of aquatic therapy for individuals that suffer from cardiac diseases and disorders. These cases have proven that the level of oxygen in the blood increases in water, which is ideal for most vascular issues. The oxygen consumption (VO2) is three times greater in water than on land. Working large muscle groups leads to this uptake of oxygen or VO2, but doing a lot of running and legwork on land increases the heart rate at a greater level than with water-based therapy.

Compression Stockings can help to improve blood flow in your legs and prevent leg swelling. If you have varicose veins, spider veins, or have just had surgery.

Sometimes exercise is NOT enough!
Various forms of venous issues affect 25 million Americans. Their legs are swollen, achy and they have a heavy sensation. When our veins are working correctly, they pump blood back to the heart. Valves in the veins are made to open and close in one direction if these valves or the wall of the veins are damaged, the blood is unable to work against gravity, and the result is a pooling of the blood in our legs. This pooling is called stasis and can present significant risks to our health.

Varicose veins are one of the indicators of major damage to your circulatory system; venous symptoms should not be taken lightly. A medical professional will be able to report whether or not your symptoms are superficial, moderate or severely dangerous and in need treatment.

Symptoms of venous insufficiency:
• Leg pain while standing or sitting, which subsides after resting for an extended period of time
• Sensations of tightness & burning may occur in the leg or foot
• Swelling of the calves, which dissipates after elevation
• Dark veins
• Varicose Veins
• Dry, itchy skin
• Ulcer near the ankle (often painless, but with a dark rim)

Dr. Richter focuses on the newest developments in minimally invasive Vein Treatments. As a venous and lymphatic specialist, he is dedicated to treating Varicose and Spider Veins and their underlying causes. Dr. Richter has over a decade of experience in the specialized field of diagnosing and treating vein disease He is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and an active member of the American College of Phlebology and also has accumulated an impressive list of qualifications and educational accomplishments during the course of his career.